Page 13 of The Only Way Out Is Up

I’m sure it does.

[Observation: there is also a change in your blood flow.]

Doubtless. I’m just glad Ameliana herself isn’t as observant.

[Query: what is the purpose of this?]

Nothing. But I know he won’t leave it alone. It’s, uh, human mating behavior.

[Query: you wish to mate with her?]

No! I give a mental shrug. I mean… not really. Not as things are. Not that I haven’t thought about it, though. Thought about it quite often, in fact, at night when everyone’s in bed.

[Investigation: then why this behavior?]

Human bodies are complicated. They don’t always listen to what you tell them.

[Incomprehension: how can your body “listen” or not?]

Like I said, it’s complicated. Just be glad you don’t have to deal with it.

[Superiority: I am always glad of that, meat creature.]

I lie face down in my bed, musty sheets and hard lumps. Somi moved into Fara’s room after she died, but this one has been mine for as long as I can remember. This place has been mine, the sweet-sour scent of mash-bread, Somi kneading dough, Spike rolling her eyes at me since she was old enough to talk, the kids at the back door, and my desks full of sigils and wires. Home.

I think of the jar in Somi’s room, almost empty. I think about Ekkeban’s pitying look.

I really thought runic fighting was going to be a way out. Because Somi’s right, I can’t go on hunting Twisted forever, not alone; sooner or later one of them is going to get the better of me in spite of Star’s best efforts. And without Star it’s practically suicidal. But building up another combat body for him sigil by sigil could take years.

There’s only one place to get the cash I need. Stave off disaster for a little bit longer.

I think we have to go back to Yesod.

Star doesn’t respond for a moment.

[Query:] His voice is cautious. [I thought you promised never again.]

I did.

[Reminder: we were nearly captured.]

I remember.

Twisted, after all, can only kill you. Arbiters can keep you locked away for decades, force you to waste away crafting sigils, torture you for kicks. If you make them mad enough, they can haul your family in, too. Our supposed deliverers of “justice” might take that job seriously for citizens of the higher tiers, but they make it clear that Heapers barely count as human. And while down here we might see them make a show of force twice a year, in Yesod they’re everywhere, eager to pounce on anyone who looks out of place.

I know all this. And yet.

We need money, I tell Star. I thought that fight was going to be our big score. Now I need to pay Ekkeban, repair your body, and help Somi. Where else are we going to get the bits?

[Query: does the thief body still work?]

Sure. I might have borrowed a few pieces here and there, but nothing I can’t replace easily.

[Query: and the Arbiters?]

I think I know what went wrong last time. Pounding down a dark alley, booted feet behind me, forcing myself through a too-tight maintenance hatch just barely ahead of grasping hands. This time we’ll take it nice and slow. No mistakes.

[Resolution: no mistakes.]